Harlandale ISD quiet on cuts for now

The majority of school districts across San Antonio have already announced staffing and other cuts associated with the anticipated state budget shortfall, but those haven’t shown up on Harlandale Independent School District’s board meeting agenda.

Most districts’ board meetings in San Antonio lately have seen major public turnout, even standing room only, as people have pleaded with board members to avoid cutting any staff. While the Harlandale board meeting Tuesday night at Adams Elementary saw standing room-only turnout, most in the audience were there to see students sing as part of a special presentation and left afterward. No one spoke during the public comment period, a marked difference from most districts in recent weeks.

Harlandale ISD officials said that they expect to make some budget cuts, but add they have been fortunate to not rush any decision yet, thanks to revenue from higher tax rates than other districts and budget restructuring in the last few years.

District spokeswoman Leslie Ann Garza said that Superintendent Robert Jaklich hopes to avoid having to cut any staff so hasn’t sounded the alarm yet. However, the board is expected to discuss its budget next month at a workshop meeting.

“The power of Harlandale is the power of our people, and we’re doing everything we can to keep our people,” Garza quoted Jaklich as saying.

The projected reduction in funding for the 2011-12 school year for Harlandale ISD have been estimated by the school finance research firm Moak, Casey & Associates at $8,729,281, based on the firm’s analysis of current legislative proposals. Garza said that no amount has been set, but cuts could range between 5 to 9 percent of its annual budget, which is about $111 million, or somewhere between $4 million to $8 million.